Compare Self Reliance And Walden

Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one 's own person is the ultimate goal. Transcendentalism is the idea that in order to learn about God and the universe, one must go beyond everyday experience to a higher standing. The five core beliefs of transcendentalists are non-conformity, self-reliance, free thought, confidence and importance of nature. The essays Self-reliance and Walden are examples of self-reliance. Self-reliance was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and he urges his readers to follow their individual will instead of conforming to others. He encourages his readers to be honest in their relationships with others, and to follow one’s own voice. The essay Walden was written by Henry David Thoreau and is about his life living in the woods and discovering nature. Thoreau’s writing …show more content…
From the points, believe one’s own thought, and the importance of self-reliance, they are both saying to be one’s own self. The difference in the points is that believing what one wants, and having self-reliance, go down separate roads. Believing oneself helps you with courage, whereas self-reliance helps with self-reliance. The points on being honest with oneself and the value of simplicity both show to be honest and free with oneself. However, the difference is that being honest won’t help one survive, being free will help one wonder and get to know where things are to survive. The points on seeking solitude and the illusion of technology both show that being alone and listening to one’s own thoughts and not following other people’s footsteps is the way to live life. The difference with these two points are that being alone helps one know himself, but not to help oneself out, whereas the illusion of technology helps advance oneself. Thoreau has the upper hand in the battle against Thoreau and Emerson. Thoreau gives great advice and also spreads the belief of